ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.—It's time for the Buffalo Bills to find a way to make Tarvaris Jackson active on game days. The Bills traded a seventh-round pick to Seattle and are paying Jackson $1.75 million this season. That's being wasted with him as the third quarterback.

The reason Jackson has been inactive is a lack of practice reps, according to coach Chan Gailey. He needs to change that.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has struggled of late, leading many to wonder where free-agent acquisition Tarvaris Jackson has been. (AP Photo)

The reason?

Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been erratic and needs to know his job is at least in jeopardy if he can't become more consistent. Fitzpatrick has five touchdown passes and no interceptions in the Bills' two wins, and seven touchdowns, eight interceptions and a quarterback rating of 68.7 in three losses.

His backup the first five weeks, Tyler Thigpen, is not looked at as a viable starter. The Bills clearly thought backup quarterback was an issue before the season, or they wouldn't have cut Vince Young and traded for Jackson.

Buffalo should start by installing Jackson as the backup, with the clear message to Fitzpatrick being that his play must improve.

If Jackson is active for at least six games this season, the draft pick becomes a sixth-rounder, but that's a cost the Bills will have to pay.

NOTES: The Bills are awaiting MRI results on defensive end Mark Anderson, who suffered a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Should Anderson miss any time, Chris Kelsay's role on defense will expand.